Former NBA Player Gives Solid Advice for Utah Jazz on How to Beat Jamal Murray

The Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz became the first set of teams to push their series to Game 7. This particular first-round series has been a treat to watch. The Jazz took a commanding 3-1 lead early in the series, but soon faced retaliation from the Nuggets, who’ve clawed their way up to make it 3-3. So, what’s the secret to beat the Nuggets and Jamal Murray? Kendrick Perkins has the formula for Jazz’s Quin Snyder!

Kendrick Perkins played in the NBA for 15 years and won a championship with the Celtics in 2008. He’s been affiliated with the league even after retirement, as KP has now found his calling as an analyst. 

This time on ESPN’s ‘First Take,’ he had a few words of advice for Jazz’s head coach Quin Snyder. The 53-year-old head coach of Utah has seen his team lose two straight games, and it is painful to take. 

Jamal Murray has been the standout performer for the Nuggets, notching up two-fifty point games in the series. “He’s single handedly beating them right now,” Perkins said, talking about Murray’s brilliance. 

“Quin Snyder listen, brother. You have to do better. You have to make someone else beat you. This guy is single-handedly taking over the game, and he’s dominating.” Perkins mentioned how Jamal Murray has etched his name alongside Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson with his spectacular displays of shooting.

He then moved on to state how the Jazz can beat the Nuggets. “You gotta get the ball outta his [Jamal Murray’s] hands,” Perkins mentioned. It is no secret that the Jazz would be looking to contain Murray by limiting his touches on the ball. That will be the key factor in Game 7 for Utah. 

Kendrick Perkins draws player comparison for Nuggets star Jamal Murray

Jamal Murray has unleashed himself in the 2020 NBA playoffs. With an average of 47.3 points in the last three games, the 23-year-old is carrying the Nuggets on his back. While he’s in the history books alongside MJ and AI, whose game does Murray resemble? 

Kendrick Perkins has stated his answer, and it is up to you to decide if he’s spot on or not! “There’s nothing offensively that Jamal Murray can’t do,” Perkins began. “He’s a great three-point shooter. The way that he’s able to get separation and create on his own on the three-point line, especially when you get bigger guys on him.” 

The former Celtics man then lauded the bright aspects of Murray’s game and put forth a comparison. “When I’m looking at Jamal Murray and his offensive package, it reminds me a lot of Gilbert Arenas,” he said. 

This is high praise for Murray, to be compared with a player like Gilbert Arenas. Even though Arenas had a short-lived career that was barred by injuries, he proved his worth when it mattered. He posted impressive scoring records with the Wizards and grew out to be a franchise legend. 

Thus, Jamal Murray can take a positive note on his comparisons with Gilbert Arenas. Murray is just in his fourth year in the league, with a long road ahead of him. The future is bright for the Nuggets star, and there are plenty of expectations on him to deliver.